Teddy Boy Boogie-Big Black Cadillac
Released- 29th July 2024 on Spotify (to listen & buy) and CD from Raucous Records at www.raucousrecords.com.
Recorded at The Sick Room Studios, Narborough, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Produced & mixed by Owen Turner, owner of The Sick Room Studios.
Cover design by Wayne Beauchamp, professional graphic designer and previous band member.
Reviewed by- Terry Mead 02/08/2024
Big Black Cadillac are a five-piece band hailing from the UK with both Danny Gillies and Robert Hines sharing the lead guitar role, the band is now almost back to the original line up, playing Rockabilly music in a wild and enthusiastic manner. They are not just a tribute band far from it with two previous albums to their name containing many self-penned tracks. This their latest album is an endorsed tribute to the late Cavan Grogan by Lyndon Needs and the Rhythm Rockers.
Members of the Band:
Neil Thomas-Lead Vocals
Dominic Redsell-Drums
Danny Gillies-Lead Guitar
Robert Hines-Lead Guitar
Paul Syrett-Electric upright double bass
Track by track review of album:
Big Black Cadillac- – The group taking their name from this the first track in the Cavan vaults written by Lyndon Needs from the Cool and Crazy Rockabilly album. Great way to start a rockin party with this one and the boys have given it a version to be proud of.
Gotta Be My Baby- From the album “Our Own Way Of Rockin” well arranged covering track both in sound and timings.
Boppin’ n Shakin’- Another track from “Our Own Way Of Rockin” Cavan’s original had a raw feeling about it so to speak where’s this version is more polished and subdued.
Caroline- Cavan Grogan’s mellow masterpiece from The Crazy Rhythm Album covered in style here recreating it in the format and tempo of the original works.
Both Wheels Left The Ground- from the 1979 album “Still Crazy” the only thing missing here is the piano breaks, but they are replaced by some neat guitar ones, another great tribute for this awesome tune written by Cavan Grogan.
She’s The One To Blame- You really drive me wild says Neil following in Cavan’s footsteps on this heart-pounding track which gives all the ingredients of the original concept.
Sadie- One of my all-time favourites written by Lyndon Needs from the 1975 “Crazy Rhythm” album and the band haven’t let me down here with their beautiful rendition of this much-loved track.
Bop Pretty Baby- B-side to Cavan’s first single “ Teddy Boy Boogie” more of an up-tempo version without the distinctive click on the drums but sound produced its up there on the pedal stool with the echoing enhancing the original piece.
Stompin’ Shoes- From the “Rockability” album like the original a fast-paced driving tune which leaves you breathless, great co-ordination here with all the musicians playing their part and Neil on vocals giving it his all.
Rita – Written by the late Don Kinsella from the Crazy Rhythm album 1975, lovely upbeat guitar licks to this one producing the perfect beat to the original.
My Little Sisters Gotta Motor Bike- Released on Charly Records in 1977 hitting the charts, the familiar sound of the motorbike starts us off here with the band taking us on a ride of fame again. Great version of this memorial song with a catchy beat just the police siren missing at the end.
Teddy Boy Rock n Roll- A Lyndon Needs composition from 1975, slightly up-tempo version from Big Black Cadillac with some neat guitar breaks and driving lyrics.
Hard Rock Café- From the “Crazy Rhythm” album, full on number as always cleverly adapted here with an energic aurora.
Teddy Boy Boogie- Their first single and the song almost got banned as it whipped up a frenzy at some gigs, also the title of this album the ultimate tribute to Cavan done here in same style ticking all the boxes of this timeless masterpiece.
So, to Summarise the nostalgia here for me was awesome, its fantastic these guys have taken the time to put this album together as a tribute to Cavan and I do emphasise it’s a tribute not a cover album sang and played straight from the heart. It’s highly recommended for all the Cavan fans to listen to and for those newbies that were unfortunate to miss out on the era.
Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n1YiX4mcRSIrVqb3bZ56ZmFTQ-xB964hU&si=ubCiINhX8NT2EvJi
Track List :
1.Big Black Cadillac
2.Gotta Be My Baby
3.Boppin’ n Shakin’
4.Caroline
5.Both Wheels Left The Ground
6.She’s The One To Blame
7.Sadie
8.Bop Pretty Baby
9.Stompin’ Shoes
10.Rita
11.My Little Sisters Gotta Motor Bike
12.Teddy Boy Rock n Roll
13.Hard Rock Café
14.Teddy Boy Boogie
Band Bio:
Big Black Cadillac originally formed in 2008 as a 4-piece rockabilly band. Several musicians have come and gone, but they are now settled as a Rockin' 5-piece band since being joined by guitarist Rob Hines during 2023.
Their first album Let's Get Reckless was almost all original self-penned tracks. With Boppin' & Shakin', Big Black Cadillac have now returned to their rockabilly and rock 'n' roll roots and recorded some of their favourite tracks, along with two original instrumentals written by their new guitarist Danny Gillies.
The first gig was at The Jolly Farmers in Swanton Abbott (unless you count their gig with their first rockabilly line-up at the Blue Moon rock 'n' roll club on its opening night under the name "The Turbos"). Big Black Cadillac Rockabilly Band then made a demo of rock 'n' roll covers at Purple Studios in Norwich, "Got It Covered", and later supported a great sounding band called "The Fat Cats" at The Ferry Boat, Norwich and played support to Rockabilly legends Darrel Higham and Slim Jim Phantom at The Waterfront, Norwich. They also travelled to Dorset in 2010 to play at the brilliant Lulworth Castle, Camp Bestival Festival along with some very well-known bands such as Madness, Human League & Billy Bragg. A short time afterwards the band recorded an album at Purple Studios in Norwich and released "Let's Get Reckless" in conjunction with legendary UK rockabilly label Nervous Records. Big Black Cadillac have had a few line-up changes over the years and are now almost back to an early days line up with the addition of Danny Gillies on lead guitar. The band are now seeking gigs throughout the UK and Europe.
The band released a second album in 2021 called Boppin' & Shakin' all covers apart from two instrumentals written by Danny. The album released on the brilliant Raucous Records label is available from the band or from Raucous Records at www.raucousrecords.com
Lead vocalist Neil Thomas grew up listening to Crazy Cavan & the Rhythm Rockers and has seen them play many times since the 1970's. Whilst the band members all love many bands and styles of rockabilly and rock 'n' roll, and have supported so many of the well-established bands over the years, they really wanted to record a full album of Crazy Cavan & the Rhythm Rockers songs as a genuine heartfelt tribute, and so set about recording these 14 tracks during early 2024.
Selecting which songs to include on this album was quite a task, and the band spent many hours trying to pick from the many classics that Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers recorded over their long career. They have decided on what they hope represents a wide and varied cross section of material.
Big Black Cadillac regularly gig around the UK and look forward to playing overseas in the future.
Heavy Duty Rockabilly Band from Norwich, Norfolk, UK !!!!
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